lilzaphod

I am actually a very strong proponent for assisted suicide and I get really angry when talking about the subject with people who disagree.

The example I use - I currently have 3 dogs and I have had two others in my life. One of my dogs developed lymphoma that progressed really quickly. She was old and was in pretty poor shape to begin with. We ended up putting her down because the course of treatment would have left her frail and her quality of life would have been poor if she even survived. We put her down to stop her suffering.

Now look at me - I have stage 4 renal cell. The average time of life for this disease is approximately 14 months. The tumors grow rapidly, they don't really respond well to either chemo or radiation. The whole goal is not remission, it's to slow down the progression of the disease. I already know that this is what is going to kill me.

Now compare the the two cases: I'm allowed to end the suffering of my pet, but if I try to get help ending my suffering, people will go to jail for a long time. How does this compute? Why is the life of my dog somehow worth more than my life when it comes to suffering? What do I have to gain by lingering on when it's very apparent that this is something that is a fatal disease?

I'm sorry, but while I respect people who are Christians, I have a real problem with them foisting their beliefs on me when it comes to the choices that I need to make for myself. I am not afraid to die; but I'm for damn certain that I'm afraid of suffering in agony waiting to die.

I'm even scared to talk to my doctor about it, not that he won't talk to me about the issues, but I'm afraid that I could somehow get him in 'ethical' trouble because Iowa is not a right to die state.

Thank you for bringing this issue up - I think that everyone who is anti- assisted suicide needs to think deeply on this issue because I believe that they are forcing many people who are of right mind into prolonging a needless time period of death and misery. I'm not asking them to die on a schedule, all I am asking for is the dignity to do so on mine.

• edit - Thanks for Gold, kind sir/ma'am!

"Nothing to see here. Move Along".

Yes, I have had a lot of outpouring from my friends and family. So many, it's hard to write them all down.

My brother and I had talked to going to GenCon on and off for 30 years. We went for the first time this year, and even though I didn't have the money, he paid for most (95%) of it. My cousin who isn't a gamer, came and pushed me around a wheelchair, and played Pathfinder with me for 4 days. My uncle and another cousin picked me up from Indianapolis and drove me home so I didn't have to try and negotiate the airport (my brain is still a little fuzzy with some cognition and time) because my brother needed to fly home from Indianapolis direct.

My neighbors found out and started mowing my lawn. (i despise lawn work, and this was a huge help)

My brother and sister have both come from the coasts to see me twice (sister once, but is coming on Thursday).

My co-workers have sent me more flowers during the hospital than I know what to do with.

My employer has allowed me to work from home at will, and has not given me any issues around hospital trips or surgery. They also pay for my short and long term disability as part of my employment.

Friends have taken me to lunch, movies, and things like the farmer's market because I can't drive.

People send me random texts letting me know they are thinking about me - this really helps keep my spirits up.

My wife has been amazing during this whole thing. She takes me to my appointments, visits me in the hospital, and listens to what is in my head. She even didn't get pissed at me when I pushed to be discharged 3 days early from brain surgery because I was tired of living in the hospital and the steroids had me so hopped up that I was jumping out of my skin with energy.

I feel very lucky to have the friends and family I have who have been very selfless in helping me with this issues.

Thank you.

Lol. I already shaved an Hesienburg into my beard last night (first time in 10 years seeing my cheeks) in preparation for radiation.

I also have a lawyer and doctor on board for seed money for the winnebago. :)